Sharat Poornima, literally the winter full moon, is a festival celebrating the onset of winter, under the cooling rays of the full moon. It brings a respite from the heat and humidity of the summer and monsoon that have preceded it, and promises pleasant days ahead. This festival is celebrated on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September – October).
Origin
Sharat Poornima is the full moon night when the gopies danced in the “Raas Leela” with Shree Krishna. The Raas Leela was Shree Krishna’s most famous leela (pastime), which began with Him playing the flute on the full-moon night of Sharat Poornima. On hearing the melodious sound of Shree Krishna’s flute, the gopies ran to the forest to meet Him. Shree Krishna tested their devotion in many was, and when the gopies passed the test, He began the Raas Leela. In the beginning Radha and Krishna were in the center, while the gopies danced in a circle around them. Then Shree Krishna took as many forms as there were gopies and danced with every one of them. Each of the gopies was devoted to Shree Krishna, and He graced them by showering Divine bliss on them. Many Krishna devotees consider Sharat Poornima as the highest of all festivals, since it was on this day that God showered the highest Bliss of Divine love on His most loving devotees.
It was on the cool night of Sharat Poornima in the year 1922 that our beloved Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj appeared in a small and remote village called Mangarh in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, in India.
In Maharashtra, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi walks around all night asking “Ko jagarti?” (Who is awake?). Thus, this night is called “Kojagiri Poornima.”
Another story related to this day is that of a king who fell on bad days. On the advice of some wise men, he and his wife fasted and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi all day and night. They were blessed by the Goddess and all their troubles disappeared.
In Orissa, this day is believed to be the birthday of Lord Kartik, the second son of Lord Shiv.
Celebrations
The grandest celebrations are in those parts of the country associated with the Divine pastimes of Shree Krishna – Mathura, Brindavan and Braj. People spend the day fasting and praying, and stay awake the whole night in remembrance of the Lord.
In Maharashtra, Prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi, asking her to bless them with prosperity and good fortune. People prepare delicacies with milk and sugar and eat them under the moonlight. It is believed that the earth is nearest the moon at this time, and the full goodness of the moon acts on the milk, and makes it even more wholesome and Divine.
In Orissa, it is the young girls who propitiate Lord Kartik on this day. Kartik is the commander-in-chief of the celestial gods, and is believed to be the most handsome among them all. Young girls pray to him in the hope that they may be blessed with a husband as handsome and strong as Kartik himself.